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TORONTO, Jan. 15 /CNW/ -
What: CNIB and Braille200 join organizations worldwide in marking the
200th anniversary of Louis Braille's birth with a birthday
celebration and open house in Toronto.
Festivities will include:
- The public debut of "Merci Louis," a song composed by award-
winning Canadian songwriter Terry Kelly.
- The launch of a Canadian braille textbook, the first in
50 years.
- Interactive displays, games and information booths about
braille history, production and literacy.
- Remarks by Euclid Herie, Chair of Braille200 and President of
the World Braille Foundation, Jim Sanders, President &amp; CEO of
CNIB and Myra Rodrigues, author of Celebrating Braille: A
Canadian Approach.
- Braille quilt hand-made to mark the occasion.
- Cutting of the CNIB Braille200 birthday cake.
This event kicks-off a year of celebrations with activities
planned by CNIB and Braille200.
When: Friday, January 16, 2009
10:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. - Birthday party and open house
11:30 a.m. - Formal ceremony and cake cutting
Where: The CNIB Centre, 1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Why: The bicentennial of Braille's birth provides an opportunity to
celebrate the importance of braille as a building block of
literacy, independence, employment and equality for people with
vision loss. For 200 years braille has withstood the test of time
and many technological advances, enabling people with vision loss
to read and write with their fingertips. Braille is used in
virtually every country around the world.
Available for Interviews:
- Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education - MPP, Don Valley
West
- Jim Sanders - President &amp; CEO, CNIB
- Euclid Herie - Chair of Braille200 and President of the World Braille
Foundation
- Myra Rodrigues/Florence Carter/Rosie Zampese - authors of
"Celebrating Braille: A Canadian Approach"
- Terry Kelly - Award-winning singer/songwriter and composer of
"Merci Louis"
About CNIB
CNIB is a nationwide, community-based, registered charity committed to
public education, research and the vision health of all Canadians. CNIB
provides the services and support necessary to enjoy a good quality of life
while living with vision loss. For more information, please visit www.cnib.ca.

For further information:

For further information: To attend the Toronto Open House or set up an
interview or tour of the CNIB Library, please contact: Norma Meneguzzi Spall,
The Results Group, O: (416) 686-9110, C: (416) 209-1216, norma.m@sympatico.ca;
or Yeena Peng, CNIB, (416) 486-2500 ext. 8355, Yeena.peng@cnib.ca